Ling Ling - Mandarin Oriental

Ling Ling by Hakkasan occupies the central terrace of Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech, looking out over olive groves, the resort's pools, and the Atlas Mountains beyond. It is the Hakkasan Group's izakaya-inspired concept, built around the idea that food should complement drinks and good company rather than command the evening. The setting does the rest: a spacious open-air terrace under the stars, a resident DJ layering beats into the warm air, and an energy that builds steadily as the night progresses. The kitchen is led by Li Hengfei, a Chinese chef with over fifteen years in Cantonese and Sichuan cooking. Modern Cantonese sharing plates are the format, and the execution is precise. A supreme dim sum platter, crispy tiger prawns, vegetarian rolls with black truffle and plum sauce, and wok-tossed lamb cutlets move across tables alongside grilled sea bass and spicy prawn curry. The Peking duck, served with sixteen pancakes, ginger meat, and small toasts with apricot jam, is the centrepiece when the occasion calls for it. On Saturdays, the Yum Cha brunch reimagines the dim sum tradition as a continuous tasting experience prepared à la minute, with tea pairings and optional champagne. The cocktail programme matches the ambition of the food, and the bar is a destination in its own right. Ling Ling is open to non-hotel guests, and the crowd is a mix of resort visitors and Marrakchis who treat it as one of the city's most polished nights out.